Issues
Trump’s pick for secretary of education is Linda McMahon. Here’s what to know
McMahon's confirmation proceedings are likely to focus on how she would handle Donald Trump's plans to dissolve the U.S. Education Department.
As coal plants close, Colorado towns consider nuclear waste storage
The federal government hopes former coal towns will help the nuclear industry grow, by taking on the decades-long challenge of storing radioactive waste
Alabama governor vows to sign bill that writes definitions of male and female into state law
The state House of Representatives voted 77-12 for the bill that defines sex based on reproductive organs that are present at birth. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey who has vowed to sign it.
No relief: Inflation unexpectedly heated up last month
Inflation remained stubbornly high in January, as grocery, gasoline and shelter costs all rose. Egg prices saw their biggest price hike in almost a decade.
Alabama seeks to join states that allow the death penalty for child rape
The Alabama House of Representatives voted 86-5 for the bill that would allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty when an adult is convicted of rape or sodomy of a child under 12. The legislation now moves to the Alabama Senate.
Trump funding freeze could leave communities on their own as climate threats grow
Without federal support, American communities will struggle to deal with a challenge as pervasive as climate change, market analysts and environmental advocates say.
Federal Reserve’s Jerome Powell says there’s no need to rush on interest rate cuts
Powell was also asked about the high cost of home ownership and President Trump's trade policies, but as usual, the Fed chair tried to steer clear of politics.
27 religious groups sue administration over immigration enforcement policy
27 religious groups are suing the federal government in response to the Trump administration's policy giving immigration agents more leeway to make arrests at "sensitive locations" like churches.
Pope rebukes Trump over migrant deportations and refutes VP Vance’s theology
In a strongly-worded letter to Catholic bishops in the United States, Pope Francis is taking to task the Trump Administration's stance on migrants, and that he's following what he calls a "major crisis" with the initiation of mass deportation.
Tourism in New Orleans remains strong despite terrorist attack. Will the trend last?
The Super Bowl is in town, and so far, fears that visitors would avoid the big game because of January’s attack on Bourbon Street have not rang true.
Burglary of Joe Burrow’s home is linked to a pattern of ‘crime tourism,’ FBI says
High-profile burglaries of pro athletes are seen as part of a wider pattern of criminals traveling from South America to target affluent homes in the U.S.
Why economists got free trade with China so wrong
The "China Shock" is revisited, and it raises questions about why economists failed to see the costs of free trade.
A deep dive on U.S. reading and math scores, and what to do about them
New research drills down on poor student achievement, and notes some school districts that are beating the odds
Trump administration targets Education Department research arm in latest cuts
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is responsible for gathering data on a wide range of topics, including research-backed teaching practices and the state of U.S. student achievement.
Bryan Adams concert in Australia is canceled after a ‘fatberg’ causes sewage overflow
The blockage was detected near a Perth arena mere hours before Canadian musician Bryan Adams' sold-out show was set to take place. Water authorities warned of wastewater overflow at the venue.
Trump says he will impose a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel imports
Additionally, he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on "everyone" on Tuesday or Wednesday: "If they charge us, we charge them. That's all," he said. "Every country will be reciprocal."
Chinese counter-tariffs to kick in as Trump threatens more to come
The tariffs from China range from 10% to 15% and are applied to crude oil, liquefied natural gas, farm machinery and select other products from the U.S.
The best (and worst) Super Bowl commercials this year
At a time when every fresh news alert seems to deliver a new seismic jolt about the world – the ads featured in this year's Super Bowl mostly touch on safe subjects we traditionally expect in Big Game commercials: Nostalgia. Comedy. Celebrities. Patriotism. And poignant humanism.
Super Bowl 2025: The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans
The Kansas City Chiefs meet the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday for a date with history. The chiefs are trying to become the first NFL team ever to win three Super Bowls in a row.
The American tailgate: Why strangers recreate their living rooms in a parking lot
There's nothing quite like a tailgate, where fans serve food to strangers who share the same passion. We went to a Philadelphia Eagles tailgate to learn what drives this uniquely American tradition.
Alabama seeks to follow Trump’s lead in defining male and female
Alabama and a small but growing number of other GOP-led states are pushing to enact more laws this year to legally define the two sexes based on observations of genitals at birth. Many trans advocates say the bills feel like an attempt to erase trans existence or a attempt to capitalize on prejudice for political gain.
Linda McMahon led WWE and the SBA. The U.S. Education Dept. may be next
McMahon has a limited background in education, and a long career as a business executive. She'd be stepping into an agency the president hopes to dissolve.
With the surge in sports betting, the risk of gambling addiction rises too
Mobile apps have put sportsbooks in the hands of millions, and experts are seeing a surge in betting — and higher risk of problem gambling. As the Super Bowl approaches, a recovering addict shares his story.
Chris Jones crying before kickoff? Kansas City Chiefs fans say that’s a good sign
During Chiefs games, defensive tackle Chris Jones is a six-foot-six, 310-pound wrecking ball. But he's become known for showing a softer side during performances of the national anthem.
Employers added fewer jobs in January — but the labor market overall remains healthy
U.S. employers added 143,000 jobs in January — a modest slowdown from the two previous months. The unemployment rate dipped to 4%.
The 2025 Super Bowl guide: When is it, who’s performing at halftime and how to watch
From the football field to the halftime stage, here's what to know about the storylines and stakes before Super Bowl 59 kicks off on Sunday.
Republicans target immigration in legislature’s opening week
Republicans hit the ground running as the Alabama legislative session started this week. Among their top priorities is a package of immigration bills, which advanced out of committee and onto the Senate. We talk about that and other action this week with Todd Stacey, host of Capital Journal and Alabama Public Television.
U.S. veterans work to make sense of New Year’s Day incidents: It’s ‘doubly tragic’
U.S. veterans are worried that two deadly incidents involving current and former service members could increase stigma, or paint veterans as somehow damaged.
U.S. education policy is at a crossroads. This congressional hearing shows why
The House education committee is charged with forging consensus on the nation's education policy. But at a recent meeting, partisan differences were on full display.
Alabama puts man to death for a 1991 murder in the nation’s fourth execution using nitrogen gas
Demetrius Frazier was pronounced dead at a south Alabama prison Thursday evening for his murder conviction in the 1991 rape and killing of Pauline Brown. It was the first execution in Alabama this year.
Alabama set to execute a man with nitrogen gas for 1991 murder and rape
Demetrius Terrence Frazier was convicted of the 1991 murder of 41-year-old Pauline Brown. Prosecutors said Frazier raped and shot her after breaking into her Birmingham apartment. If carried out, Frazier's execution will be the third in the United States in 2025 and the first in Alabama this year.
Ivey calls public safety her top priority for the 2025 session
The proposals come in the wake of mass shootings that rattled Alabama cities, including the shooting deaths of four people outside a Birmingham nightclub in September.
